Baxter, Victoria

Baxter is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. It is served by Baxter railway station on the Stony Point greater-metropolitan line. Originally called Baxter's Flat, Baxter was founded by pastoralist Benjamin Baxter, who lived in a property name "Carrup Carrup" - the indigenous Australian name. The property still exists today on what is now Frankston-Flinders road, as does the original cottage he and his wife Martha lived in. It is now owned by Gateway Family Church who plan to preserve the cottage. Benjamin Baxter died in 1892 and his gravestone, found in the Frankston Cemetery, reads "Benjamin Baxter, late of h. m. 50th regiment. Died at Currup Currup 15th May 1892, aged 87. Also Martha, beloved wife of above 31st Jan 1906 age 94 years". It was at Baxter's Flat that the railway to Mornington and Stony Point (built in the late 1880's) separated. The station was called Mornington Junction before being changed to Baxter, however its role as s junction ended in the 1980's with the closure of the Mornington line. Other historic cottages in the area include a primitive 1850's homestead called Eurutta (formerly Sage's Cottage), and a 1920's American-style residence called Mulberry Hill. Baxter Primary School was established in 1890.

References

• Brown-May, Andrew & Swain, Shurlee (2005) The Encyclopedia Of Melbourne. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-84234-4

External links

• Baxter, Victoria is at coordinates 38°11′46″S 145°09′25″E / -38.196, 145.157Coordinates: 38°11′46″S 145°09′25″E / -38.196, 145.157
• Our Peninsula's Past (Shire of Mornington Peninsula)